Manj Musik, singer, songwriter and music producer
I was schooled in England. I was always very romantic at heart and the climate in England is also very conducive for die-hard romantics. I used to write poems, etc. all dedicated to Judy Dench. She is a great actress. I opted for psychology in high school. It was my first day. I had reached early to break ice with my fellow future classmates. Apparently, a lot of them are talking about the psychology professor whose name was Judy and she also looked like Ms. Dench. My heart skipped a beat immediately. I was highly anticipating the psychology lecture, and there she came! And she was every bit of what the classmates had mentioned. What was next — my muse changed from the actress Judy to my professor Judy.
Shakti Mohan, dancer At a young age of 4, I had started building my dream towards becoming a dancer. My parents did play a huge part. They got me enrolled into a dance academy. I learnt at the same academy for 10 years. I learnt from a lot of gurus and specialty dancers that use to come to the studio for teaching us aspiring dancers. Then came a dance professor who was from Aruba. He was a contemporary and freestyle specialist, and his body used to move like fluid. His dance moves were mind-blowing, and he himself was so exotic. It was then that I fell in love with contemporary style of dancing and refined it further. Also, I did fall for that teacher, just a little bit.
Parull Mahaajan, interior designer My first crush happened much later in my life, when I was studying law during my first year of college. My professor Mr. Sukant Gupta was someone whose lectures I would attend without any fail. Infact, such was my crush for the professor that I used to sit in the front row, and listen with rapt attention. Not just this, I had 100 per cent attendance in his class, and I also topped in the entire class. He was blessed with good looks, sharp mind and a great understanding of his subject. He was very polite.
Musskan Agarwaal, Jewellery Designer When it comes to a childhood crush, the one that most of us fondly remember, is the one we had on our teachers. Funnily, my first crush that happened while I was in class two, was not on a hot male teacher but a female teacher — Ranjana ma’am. The love was mutual, I guess. I adored her simply because she was so sweet, caring, motherly and in fact, I was also one of her favourite and most pampered kids in the school. She would never complain to my parents about my mischievous behaviour.
Ashvin Gidwani, producer and M.D, AGP World We had dramatics as part of our extra curricular activities in school for which we were graded obviously. I was enchanted by theatre right from the beginning. Even when a lot of people were bunking dramatics’ club meets and discussions, I still continued to be there and that too before time. The club was by the students, and for the students but then we later got a drama teacher on board to streamline our activities in the club. She was so talented. She taught us all the nuances of stage production to casting and gauging audience reactions, etc. I used to spend a lot of time watching her and learning just by doing that. She was a force to reckon with but I did develop a corner for her.
Raftaar, music artist My kindergarten teacher, Grace is my 1st crush ever. I was 5 years old, but I did have a special something for her and she’s still fresh in my memory. Sadly, she’s passed away now, may God bless her soul. What was special about her was that she was very patient and gentle. I used to trouble her so much. I just wouldn’t sit in one place for more than two minutes, but she never lost her cool. Gradually, I realised my folly and mended my ways. That’s how teachers should be. If she would have been strict with me and beaten me up or scolded me, I would have rebelled and that would have spoilt me. I request all teachers to try and be patient with ‘problem children’ and help them to make themselves better and not a rebel.
Amit Ranjan, model My English teacher Ms. Anita had always been my secret crush, ever since I was in class 6th. She was charming, graceful and always so prim and proper. She taught me all the right pronunciation and intonations. I find women in traditional attire very appealing, and Anita ma’am was always well-clad in a pretty cotton or handloom sari.
